5th appearance with Oprah - followed by Dancing With the Stars same night
Abraham McDonald, whose victory on the first ever Oprah Show Karaoke Challenge earned him an exclusive contract with the Island Def Jam Music Group, returned on Monday for his fifth show appearance with ‘Miss Winfrey,’ as Abraham graciously addressed her and her millions of viewers in a Skype live hook-up.
As Oprah aired, Abraham's debut single, “Miracle,” was starting a 48-hour free download at www.islanddefjam.com/abraham. The single impacts at Urban AC radio on April 26th, and Mainstream AC radio on May 3rd. “Miracle” was produced by the successful production team of Sam Watters and Louis Biancaniello (Whitney Houston, Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, and Jessica Simpson, to name a few).
Judges for the Oprah Show Karaoke Challenge last November 2009 included producer David Foster, songwriter Diane Warren, and Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group, who personally signed Abraham to the label.
When not at the recording studio or visiting Harpo Studios in Chicago, Abraham has been seen performing in front of a sold-out 6,000-seat crowd at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A., singing the National Anthem at the Lakers home game, and headlining the Insider & Style A-list party hosted by Style-TV’s Niecy Nash at posh nightclub The Kress in Hollywood. And Monday night on live TV again, just hours after Oprah, Abraham was sitting in as a celebrity guest at ABC’s Dancing With the Stars.
His win on Oprah’s contest (which included live performances on three shows) was the culmination of a life-long journey to share his musical artistry with the world. It all began when Abraham won the ACT-SO talent contest at age 13 with his version of Oleta Adam’s “Get Here” - the same song that won him Oprah’s first prize years later.
Abraham reported to Oprah on the progress of his recording sessions, as well as other changes in his life since taking home the $250,000 prize from her contest, and being signed to Island Def Jam. The singer and his mom have moved into a new home in Hawthorne, and he has seen his dreams take legs “in Jesus’ Cadillac.” Abraham is also driving a new car - and proudly showed off his “No Phone Zone” certificate, to Oprah’s delight.
Contact: Laura Swanson, 212.333.8533
Email: laura.swanson@umusic.com
